Dragon Ball is responsible for some of the biggest transformations in anime and manga history. The iconic, often imitated but never replicated Super Saiyan changed the landscape of shōnen manga forever, and the series doesn't seem to have any intention of slowing down on the inclusion of flashy new power-ups. Super Saiyan comes in different grades and colors, god techniques completely change appearances, and unlocked potential can sometimes turn characters orange. From Goku's original giant ape to Gohan's animalistic beast form, Dragon Ball has made a name for itself on unexpected, hype-inducing transformations.
Fans have debated for decades about which form is bestor whether appearance is more important than efficiency. Others take into account the context in which an upgrade is achieved, whether Goku's initial Super Saiyan carried more weight than Gohan's final ascension. Perhaps the Super Saiyan 3 reveal will be a cool enough scene to surpass Super Saiyan 4's sleek, unique design and impressive feats.
However Dragon Ball is full of exciting fan-favorite transformations, not everyone can be a winner. In fact, for every iconic form any fighter can take, it's likely they're capable of other common forms as well. Arguments over which of the series' many iconic transformations is the best aren't the only disputes that have raged for decades. Fans have also long debated which ones are the worst.
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Gohan's not-so-final form
Gohan's unlocked potential gives the fighter a short-lived boost
For a brief period of time during and after the Cell Saga, it appeared that Gohan would take up the mantle as Dragon Ballmain character. As the only fighter other than Goku to defeat a main villain, the Buu Saga began with the series' first Hybrid Saiyan in the lead. After some high school shenanigans, however, Gohan would once again return to his usual role as a supporting cast member. With Goku back in the driver's seat, it seemed Dragon Ball would continue forward with its longtime hero entering the final confrontation, until Gohan met with Elder Kai.
After some of the strangest “training” the series has presented, Gohan's potential was unlocked, and the powerful teenager was ready to join the fight with full command of his abilities. Making one of the greatest entrances in anime history, Ultimate Gohan landed to fight a Super Buu who had only recently wreaked havoc on Earth. In the first steps, the Hybrid Saiyan was dominant in a way that harkened back to his climactic battle with Cell. Just as it seemed like he returned to form, Gohan fans would be disappointed once again.
Having a clear advantage in battle, Gohan let his guard down for just a moment, allowing Buu to absorb Gotenks. From that point on, he would never gain the upper hand again, ending up allowing himself to be absorbed as well. While the Ultimate look is sleek, featuring its iconic singular bang, Ultimately, Gohan can't do much while in this form..
In all his appearances to come, he was never able to dominate like he did against Buu. The black hair and light aura also don't pack the same punch as other Saiyan transformations and don't live up to the style of his newest Beastly upgrade.
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Goku's Super Saiyan 3 lacks punch
Exclusive to Goku, Super Saiyan 3 fails to match its predecessors
New Super Saiyan transformations are like gold to the world of Dragon Ball and your fans. From Goku's initial rise to a legend on Namek the series relied on its powerful new upgrades. And for the most part, they work well. Gohan's initial transformation into Super Saiyan 2 rivals Goku's in the previous arc alone, acting as a payoff to Gohan's long-term character building throughout his time in the series.
Both initial Super Saiyan transformations have been achieved. Talk of a Legendary Saiyan dominated the Namek arc, with Vegeta consistently reaching for the form and missing, before Goku achieved it with the help of his friends. Gohan's infinite potential was teased from the moment he entered Dragon Balland his rise beyond his own father's strength was a natural progression to his character. When it came time to debut Super Saiyan 3 during the Buu Saga, however, the form failed to meet the emotional standard or act as the reward that previous transformations were.
By far the most unique of all the Super Saiyan designs, Super Saiyan 3 is all flash and no substance. The shape is aesthetically pleasing, especially in battle, but it has few advantages beyond the cool factor. With drawbacks for the user and lack of longevity in the series, Super Saiyan 3 is by far the most disappointing of all the numbered Saiyan transformations.
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Frieza's Monstrous Third Form
The most forgettable of Frieza's initial transformations
During the Namek Saga, Frieza was a commanding presence whenever he appeared on screen. A looming threat watching everything unfold from a distance, the space tyrant wasted no time in proving his brute strength when the fight finally began. The initial part of the battle with Frieza could hardly be called a fight, since Dragon BallGoku's most iconic villain toyed with Earth's heroes and Vegeta before Goku's arrival.
As if the situation wasn't bleak enough for Vegeta, Krillin, and Gohan, Frieza finally revealed that he was hiding three total transformations, each stronger than the one that was already causing them so much trouble. His second form was devastating, completely overwhelming the trio of fighters, making it clear that they had absolutely no chance in battle. By the time its third form was introduced, however, the point had already been made.
Offering virtually nothing new compared to his previous transformation, Third Form Frieza not only had very little to prove, but was a visual monstrosity. It's not often that Akira Toriyama loses his character design, but Frieza's most overlooked transformation is an example. By the time of its debut, the horror had dragged on long enoughand the series would have benefited from just jumping straight into Final Form Frieza's incredibly designed look.
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Goku and Vegeta's underwhelming Super Saiyan Blue
The updated Super Saiyan God lacks originality
Dragon Ball returned with force in 2013 Battle of the Godsending a nearly two-decade hiatus for the franchise. Featuring the fan-favorite Super Saiyan God, along with new series staples in Beerus and Whis, fans were quite pleased with the direction Dragon Ball was receiving on his return. And then Resurrection: F spent most of its running time undoing that goodwill.
Reverting Gohan to a state of uselessness, denying Vegeta victory and rendering Goku powerless against a laser, Resurrection 'F' is probably the least appreciated modern Dragon Ball film from hardcore fans of the series. His best contribution to the Super Saiyan Blue franchise It's discouraging to say the least..
The form, being a simple recolor of the original Super Saiyan, isn't the worst design choice in the franchise's history, but it isn't particularly good either. Much like Super Saiyan 3 before it, the update was completely undeserved. The construction of the form was so insignificant that it was actually achieved off-screen before the film took place. Super Saiyan Blue has its share of great moments and really shines when used by a fusion character. However, compared to other Saiyan forms, he just can't keep up.
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Golden Frieza's big color change
Frieza's most powerful form is little more than a recolor
Resurrection 'F' It's probably not as terrible as fans claim, but it was undeniably a mess, ultimately establishing some very bad habits for the franchise. Frieza's final form is not only a stylish upgrade, but also one of the most recognizable villain designs in anime and manga history. And after the return of the iconic villain, he is presented with a shape that is just a simple color swap.
Nothing is particularly bad about Golden Frieza. The form is simply uninteresting. The product of a questionable writing choice that gives Frieza unimaginable potential that remains untapped through sheer laziness, Frieza's golden form is representative of the film that introduced him. Ushering in an era of recycled villains, Frieza's most powerful anime update lacks the creativity and impact he typically defines Dragon Ballthe best transformations.
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Super Saiyan grades 2 and 3 are all bark, no bite
Super Saiyan's bulky upgrades offer very little to its users
The quest to overcome Super Saiyan was one of the most interesting sections of the Cell Saga. Highlighting the differences in Goku and Vegeta's fighting approaches, each Saiyan warrior emerged from the Time Chamber with different ideas for reaching a new level of strength. Vegeta, being the impatient and overconfident fighter that he isimmediately charged towards Cell.
With a new look, the Saiyan Prince totally dominated Semi-Perfect Cell with all the attitude and bravado that fans have come to love him for. Having the advantage, Vegeta decided to make as many moves as possible and let his arrogance get in the way of certain victory. Once Cell reached his perfect form Vegeta's Bulky New Update Has Become Absolutely Useless. Trunks would enter the fray with an even more exaggerated variation of Super Saiyan, but was also humiliated in an embarrassing manner.
Super Saiyan grades 2 and 3 offer immense strength while sacrificing speedmaking the forms completely ineffective against powerful opponents. While undeniably cool in appearance, and at the center of Vegeta's best use of the Final Flash, the upgraded Super Saiyan forms are not only useless, but used to embarrass the two fighters using them. Gohan's eventual Super Saiyan 2 would teach Vegeta and Trunks the right way to overcome their limits.
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Trunks' inexplicable Super Saiyan rage
Trunks unlocks a perfectly timed transformation with no explanation
Dragon Ball SuperGoku Black's arc was the most ambitious in the series. Presenting the answer to the timeless question, “what if Goku was evil?”, the newest Future Saga presented many interesting ideas that ultimately fizzled out near the end. However, Goku Black and Zamasu mastered what was arguably SuperThe most interesting part of the narrative and brought the return of fan favorite Trunks.
Unfortunately, in the end, the Goku Black arc suffers from its own risks. Without a logical way to give the heroes an advantage, Trunks was given what is possibly the most random transformation of all Dragon BallSuper Saiyan Fury. Which is essentially Super Saiyan 2, but the even angrier version, Trunks' Rage form, went inexplicably and was somehow able to achieve feats that neither Goku nor Vegeta were capable of in Super Saiyan Blue. Visually, the transformation is quite nice, but ultimately it's little more than a head scratcher.
Probably just an excuse to bridge the gap between Trunks and the Saiyans, Super Saiyan Fury is Dragon Ballthe most unnecessary wayarriving at a point in the series where the story was already tripping over itself. Dragon Ball is known for his most iconic transformations, but not all of them can be as incredible as the last. And in certain cases, some are completely useless.